Saudi Arabia has announced its advanced global standings in various entrepreneurship-related indicators, as reported by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM 2025–2026). This accomplishment highlights the remarkable progress in the entrepreneurial ecosystem within the Kingdom and reinforces its position as one of the most supportive economies for entrepreneurship worldwide.
The Kingdom topped the list of high-income economies in the Entrepreneurial Finance index for 2025, demonstrating the efficiency of its financial environment and the evolution of support tools designated for small and medium enterprises. These results facilitate access to funding sources for these enterprises, enhancing their growth and sustainability.
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Saudi Arabia also ranked third globally in the National Entrepreneurship Context Index (NECI), placing it among the most advanced economies in creating a conducive environment for entrepreneurship. These indicators bolster the Kingdom's status as an attractive destination for entrepreneurial investment, contributing to the influx of both foreign and local investments.
The report also recorded accelerated growth in entrepreneurial activity within the Kingdom, with the early-stage entrepreneurial activity index rising from 12.1% in 2018 to 28.9% in 2025. Additionally, the entrepreneurial intention index saw a significant increase from 26.8% in 2018 to 48.5% in 2025, indicating a growing trend among individuals to establish their own businesses and seize available opportunities.
Background & Context
Entrepreneurship is a core pillar of Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at enhancing innovation and supporting small and medium enterprises. The report showed notable progress in university entrepreneurship, with the Kingdom ranking seventh globally in 2025, compared to 53 in 2018. This advancement reflects the increasing role of educational institutions in fostering innovation and promoting an entrepreneurial culture.
These results serve as an indicator of the continuous growth in entrepreneurial activity in the Kingdom, reflecting a heightened level of confidence among individuals in the financial and regulatory environment. This contributes to enhancing the sustainability of enterprise growth and increasing their competitiveness in the market.
Impact & Consequences
These results underscore the importance of a supportive entrepreneurial environment in the Kingdom, which contributes to fostering innovation and creating job opportunities. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia's leadership in the entrepreneurial finance and national context indices reflects the success of government policies in creating a conducive environment for growth and investment.
It is expected that the Kingdom will continue to strengthen its position as a leading destination in the field of entrepreneurship, contributing to attracting more investments and enhancing economic growth. This success also reflects the government's commitment to developing a competitive entrepreneurial environment that supports innovation and helps achieve the objectives of Vision 2030.
Regional Significance
Saudi Arabia's experience in promoting entrepreneurship serves as a model for the Arab region, potentially inspiring other countries to adopt similar policies that support innovation and facilitate access to funding. The Kingdom's success in this domain can contribute to enhancing economic cooperation among Arab nations.
In conclusion, these indicators reflect Saudi Arabia's success in achieving its developmental goals and enhancing the entrepreneurial environment, contributing to sustainable development and economic growth.